Despite the fact that Edgar was swindled out of telling Percy how he really felt, lunch was fantastic. He had no idea that Elysia was a fantastic cook.
“This is great!” Edgar said politely, dabbing the corners of his mouth. “You seem to be great at everything.”
“Well, as the only girl in the family, learning how to cook was pretty compulsory.”
“Didn’t you have a mother?” Edgar asked but immediately regretted it when she swallowed. Had he overstepped a line?
“Oh, I’m really sorry.” Edgar panicked. “I didn’t mean to- “
“No, don’t worry about that. No harm done; I just haven’t spoken about it in a while.”
“If it makes you feel any better. I just found out that my parents didn’t even want me.”
Percy looked at Edgar with sympathy.
“I mean its fine. I wasn’t that close to them anyway; I suppose what they were doing was neglect but at least it wasn’t abuse or anything.”
“It is a type of abuse. The sooner you got out of that situation, the better.” Replied Elysia, “Neglect, is nothing to sneeze at.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I just mean that, it may not have seemed like abuse but it wasn’t an ideal situation, was it?”
“Well no.”
“Anyway, shall we change the subject?” Elysia asked, “I found a lovely shawl in the market this morning. you always have to get there early to get the better items.”
Percy rolled his eyes.
“Yes, I am aware that I sound like an old woman but, dammit, I’m Forty-Four, let me buy a shawl if I want to.” Elysia barked.
Percy held his hands up in surrender.
“Right well, anyway.” Elysia stood up, collecting the plates. “You’re free to go. Except you, Edgar. I need to speak to you about something.”
Edgar gulped. What in the world did she want to talk about?
He followed Elysia down the foyer and down the stairs. She opened the doors to her lab. It was completely trashed, with strange broken beakers with fluorescent coloured liquids.
“Edgar I- “
“Is this about lunchtime?” Edgar yelled. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to open old wounds, I was just asking.”
“No, Edgar, you don’t have to worry about that.” Elysia sighed. “I’ve been studying the journal and I tried to use that to fix Percy’s voice box.”
“Yes?” Edgar said, worried.
“Edgar, I don’t know how else to say this. I can’t fix Percy’s voice.”
YOU ARE READING
The Inventor from Velothain
FantasyFlorence and Edgar were never that close to their parents, they stayed close to each other throughout their childhood. But when they go to live with their uncle, things start to change. After finding a passage was in the forbidden attic, they find...
